OTES 



UNUSUAL NESTING-SITES. 



The following notes made in the district of Maryport, Cum- 

 berland, may be worth recording : — 



Starling {Sturrms v. vulgaris). — On May 3rd, 1912, I found 

 a nest of a Magpie containing seven eggs of that bird and one 

 of a Starling. All the eggs were fresh. Starlings frequently 

 take possession of distised Magpies' nests in this district. 



Tree-Pipit {Anthm t. trivialis).— On May 27th, 1912, 

 I foimd a Tree-Pipit's nest built about fifteen inches inside 

 a rabbit-burrow. The nest contained six eggs. Rabbits 

 were nmnerous. 



Dipper (Cindus c. hriiannicus). — On April 27th, 1914. 1 

 found a Dipper's nest placed eighteen inches inside a Sand- 

 Martin's burrow in the river bank at Dearham Bridge. The 

 walls of this nest, which was cup-shaped, were biiilt of dried 

 grasses. The lining consisted of dead leaves. The nest, 

 from which I flushed the sitting bird, contained four eggs, 

 three of Avhich were on the point of hatching ; the fourth was 

 addled. Similar cases have recently been rejjorted {anUa, 

 pp. 27 and 94). William J. Andrews. 



FECUNDITY OF THE HOUSE-SPARROW. 



Last year I contributed some observations (Brit. Birds. 

 VIII., p. 114) showing the amazing fecundity of certain 

 pairs of House-Sparrows [Parser d. domcsticus) occupying 

 (much to w\y disgust) a nmnber of nesting-boxes I put uj). 

 for the accommodation of better birds, in a Avood adjoining 

 my house. This year I have continued m}' observations 

 and with still more striking results, owing largely to more 

 frequent clearance of the boxes. 



Thus, from one box (No. 1), I removed new nests contaiiiing 

 eggs (varying in numl)er from two to three) on six occasions 

 between Ma}^ 22nd and July 3rd : that is, within forty-two 

 days — an average of seven (lays only between each clearanci'. 

 From another box (No. 2). I removed new nests containing eggs 

 (varying in number from two to five) on five occasions betwet'U 

 May 22nd and June 24th : that is, Avithin thirty-three days 

 — an average of about six days and a half between each 

 clearance. From yet another box (No. 13), I removed new 

 nests containing eggs (varying in number from one to four) 

 on three occasions between Mav 22nd and Juiu> 51 h : that 



